The upcoming second-generation BYD Atto 1—widely known in domestic markets as the BYD Seagull—is shifting to a rear-wheel-drive layout, gaining a front trunk, and introducing a significantly more powerful electric motor, according to regulatory filing documents submitted to China’s Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT). These engineering updates overhaul the architecture of the compact electric hatchback, expanding its performance and utility capabilities compared to the outgoing model.
Rear-Wheel Drive Shift and New Front Trunk Capacity
The second-generation hatchback moves its electric motor from the front axle to the rear, adopting a rear-wheel-drive configuration as revealed in the MIIT filings and exterior design sketches. This mechanical rearrangement opens up space beneath the front hood, creating a dedicated front trunk, commonly called a frunk. While BYD has not yet published official volumetric measurements for the front storage compartment, the layout marks a structural departure from the current front-wheel-drive generation.
Accompanying the drivetrain relocation is a total suspension redesign. The rear torsion beam setup used on current models is replaced by an independent multi-link rear suspension system. The vehicle also adopts wider 205/60 R16 tires mounted on 16-inch alloy wheels, matching the demands of the revised chassis geometry.
Motor Upgrades and Higher Top Speeds
Power output increases substantially in the redesigned hatchback. The vehicle utilizes a TZ164XYB electric motor delivering 95 kilowatts to the rear wheels, a major step up from the 55-kilowatt output of the previous iteration. This increase in power elevates the hatchback’s top speed to 150 kilometers per hour.
Recent spy shots taken during promotional media sessions in China indicate that higher trim levels of the new model may incorporate BYD’s second-generation Blade Battery technology alongside Flash Charging capabilities. However, official charging speeds and duration figures remain unreleased by the manufacturer.
Cabin Layout and Driver Assistance Technology
Inside the cabin, the hatchback features a flat-bottom, two-spoke multifunction steering wheel paired with a central floating touchscreen. Spy imagery from testing vehicles spotted in China also displays an optional roof-mounted LiDAR module. This hardware is intended to support BYD’s Level 2 advanced driver assistance suite, known as DiPilot 300, or God’s Eye B.
